Illinois Heritage Corridor

Before the current French name was applied to Lemont “The Mountain”, IL, it was named after ancient Athens. Join us to learn why!  

The Illinois Heritage Corridor runs aproximately 100 miles from Chicago down to Starved Rock. This guided tour will focus on the original peoples and subsequent settlers in the Lemont area. Included are the Slovenian Catholic Mission, featuring a former seminary-turned-retreat-grounds, a charming chapel, cultural center, cemetery and a walkable outdoor mini-verson of the beautiful Lake Bled of the Julian Alps. Another hilltop stop is a church built at the heights of Lemont in honor of two brothers, St Cyril and Methodius (d. Theselonica 869). You will also discover much in the thorough tour of the church and cemetery grounds at St James Sag Bridge. Particularly notable for the Irish influence on Chicago and the upper northeastern IL, it is an astounding little fortress for the faithful for almost 200 years. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and a contributing property of the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. 

Transportation: None Provided. All destintions are within 15 min drive of each other. 

Meet at: St Cyril and Methodius Church, 608 Sobieski St., Lemont, IL 60439

Would you like to take this tour, or a similar one, on another date? We tour over 100 churches in several different states. Call us for more info: 312-869-2286. Minimum group size 5; maximum size varies.

Because sacred spaces are not market places, all are welcome to come without cost. Please sign up on our wait list so we might work to accommodate you. Our growing collaboration with organizations and volunteers in several states, ongoing research, preparation and promotion requires funding, so thank you for taking that into consideration!